DEFERENTIALLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does deferentially mean? 

• DEFERENTIALLY (adverb)
  The adverb DEFERENTIALLY has 2 senses:

1. in a servile manner

2. in a respectfully deferential manner

  Familiarity information: DEFERENTIALLY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEFERENTIALLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a servile manner

Synonyms:

deferentially; submissively

Context example:

he always acts so deferentially around his supervisor

Pertainym:

deferential (showing deference)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a respectfully deferential manner

Context example:

he listened deferentially

Pertainym:

deferential (showing deference)

 Context examples 

These ladies were deferentially received by Miss Temple, as Mrs. and the Misses Brocklehurst, and conducted to seats of honour at the top of the room.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I glanced at the latter deferentially as he stood looking out of window.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This was addressed to the waiter, who had been very attentive to our recognition, at a distance, and now came forward deferentially.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I explained to Traddles that there was a difficulty in keeping King Charles the First out of Mr. Dick's manuscripts; Mr. Dick in the meanwhile looking very deferentially and seriously at Traddles, and sucking his thumb.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)